Cap apparatus for a beverage container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a beverage container includes an integrated straw having an upstanding section  8 , a spirally wound section  7  and a downwardly depending section  9 , wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material. In a collapsed state, the straw is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATIONS

This application is a § 371 National Stage Entry of PCT/EP2016/059441 filed Apr. 27, 2016 entitled “Cap Apparatus for a Beverage Container.” PCT/EP2016/059441 claims priority to GB1507121.0 filed Apr. 27, 2015. The entire content of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cap apparatus for a beverage container, and more particularly to such apparatus incorporating a drinking straw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In this connection, the great majority of beverage containers used by, for example, restaurants and coffee shops are disposable cups or beakers having disposable caps or lids. These are, in some cases offered with separate disposable drinking straws. More usually hot drinks are provided in containers with a disposable cap having an aperture in a top surface near the cap's peripheral edge. By tilting the container towards the user with their mouth covering the aperture, the aperture allows the drink within the container to be consumed while the cap is still in place.

However, if the drink is hot then the user will often scald their mouth and/or spill the drink as a result. This can be particularly dangerous if the user is, for example, consuming the drink while driving a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a beverage container cap apparatus that seeks to alleviate problems with such known arrangements.

According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a cap apparatus for a beverage container including:—an integrated straw having an upstanding section, a spirally wound section and a downwardly depending section, wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material whereby in a collapsed state it is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body. In this way, the cap apparatus provides a cap which when connected to a beverage container allows a user to consume the contents with the container being spaced away from the user. For example, the container can be positioned in a suitable location, such as a vehicle cup holder allowing the drink to be consumed “hands-free”. Furthermore, once the user has finished, release of the straw allows it to retract and collapse naturally into the cap body.

Preferably, at least the spirally wound section is formed of a memory plastics material. This assists in ensuring the spirally wound section adopts the correct configuration for nestling within the cap body.

Conveniently, the straw is formed at least in part of a temperature indicative material. In this way, a user will readily be able to ascertain if a drink is, for example, too hot to drink and take preventative measures.

Preferably, a distal end of the upstanding section has a valve. Such a valve may take the form of a bite valve so that once the user has finished their drink, the valve will close to prevent spillage of liquid on the user.

Conveniently, the upstanding section includes a non-resilient section. Providing a non-resilient section ensures the straw is readily available to the user above the general level of the cap body.

Preferably, the cap body includes a lower plate on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed. In this manner, the cap apparatus afford a reliable compact operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:—

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cap of the present invention in place on a container;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the cap in place on a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 having a cap 2. The container 1 is of a conventional disposable type, made from paper, resin or plastics materials. It has a generally circular opening over which the cap 2 is placed. As shown in FIG. 2, the container has a rib 4 at its upper periphery over which a hinged flange 5 of the cap can engage to retain the cap firmly in place.

The cap 2 includes an integrated straw 6 including a spirally wound section 7 from which at a first end a substantially upstanding central section 8 extends. The straw further including a downwardly depending section 9, extending from a second end the wound section 7 opposite the first end. In use, the downwardly depending section 9 extends into the interior of the container towards its bottom 10.

The spiral configuration of the wound section 7 allows the upstanding section 8 to be pulled upwardly away from the top of the cap and container as shown in FIG. 1, thereby providing a significant extension of the straw away from the cap and container. As such the container can be spaced away from the user to a significant extent while still allowing the user to consume the container's contents.

In this way the user can place the container in a vehicle cup holder and still consume the container contents without having to tilt the container in the proximity of their mouth. This avoids the user possibly spilling the container contents, and allows the user to consume the container's contents in a hands free fashion.

In the preferred embodiments the straw incorporates a valve 14, for example a bite valve at the distal end of the upstanding section. This can prevent spillage when the straw is removed from the user's mouth.

The cap 2 preferably includes a vent in the form of a small flap 12 to allow air to enter the container as its contents are consumed and to prevent formation of a vacuum which would hinder fluid removal.

At least the spirally wound section 7 of the straw is preferably formed of a resilient material whereby it will return to its shape once the deforming force of lifting it out of the cap body is removed. More specifically, the straw is preferably formed of memory plastics material, whereby it will gently return to its flat spiral configuration within the body of the cap once released by the user. In this connection, the cap body includes a lower plate 15 on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge 16 for retaining the spirally wound section in place when collapsed.

The straw may moreover be formed of a thermoplastics material allowing it to change colour in response to changing temperatures of the fluid passing therethrough. In this way, if the drink is dangerously hot, the straw can exhibit this by turning, for example, a red colour. Given the extended length of the spiral straw, the user is afforded time to prevent further passage of liquid up the straw towards their mouth.

The cap 2 enables a user to drink fluid, either hot or cold, through a concertinaed straw that retracts back onto the cap when removed from the user's mouth. The drinking container may as a result be kept some distance from the user and does not need to be held, allowing the user to more safely carry out another activity such as driving, cycling or reading a map.

It will be appreciated that the above relates to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and that variants are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.

For example, the cap and straw may be formed of varying dimensions to accommodate different containers and different liquids. For example, whilst most containers of this type are used with coffee, a container with a wider aperture and a straw with a wider diameter could be used with milkshakes, yoghurt or even certain soups.

Further, it will be appreciated that the term “spirally wound” is intended to cover not only a curved winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, but also a non-curved continuous winding such as a gradually widening or tightening straight sided polygon shape such as a square or octagon. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. Cap apparatus for a beverage container comprising:— an integrated straw having an upstanding section, a spirally wound section and a downwardly depending section, said spirally wound section being formed of resilient material and arranged substantially within a cap body when in a collapsed state, said spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow said upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body.
 9. Cap apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least said spirally wound section is formed of a memory plastics material.
 10. Cap apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said straw is formed at least in part of a temperature indicative material.
 11. Cap apparatus according to claim 8, and further comprising a valve connected with a distal end of said upstanding section.
 12. Cap apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the upstanding section includes a non-resilient portion.
 13. Cap apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cap body further comprises a lower plate on which said spirally wound section of said straw is seated when in the collapsed state, said lower plate including a circumferential edge for retaining said spirally wound section when collapsed. 